Employers make staff preservation the top priority
With fallout from the recession reaching full intensity for many associations in 2009, some organizations were able to shelter their employees from the storm, successfully protecting their staff from layoffs and keeping benefit packages mostly untouched.
Read MoreGroups get proactive in combating health care costs
For many associations, when it came to health benefits this year, wellness was the word. In the face of ever-increasing health care costs, programs designed to promote health have become a common way to rein in outlays while providing assistance to employees, benefits experts said. Such programs range from on-site cholesterol screenings to funded exercise programs.
Read MoreJust relax, says auditors group to staff
After The Institute of Internal Auditors laid off roughly 25 staffers earlier this year, JoAnn Clayton, the groups director of human resources, went searching for a way to improve the morale and reduce the workplace stress of the groups remaining 120 employees. She found it on the massage table. The idea started late last year, when the IIA offered employees massages at the groups annual meeting. It was a hit. Everyone was like, Wow, this is an excellent idea, Clayton told CEO Update.
Read MoreLower-cost benefits demonstrate appreciation in tough time
By Abraham Mahshie From ice cream socials to vacation savings plans, new low-cost and free benefits are one way that associations and nonprofits can trim expenses while continuing to show staff they are valued. More and more HR professionals, if you look at conference agendas right now, are focused on what [they can do] to improve employee morale, said Jack Kwicien, managing partner of Baltimore-based Daymark Advisors, LLC, a workforce benefits consulting firm.
Read MoreMeeting the challenge of staying upbeat in a downturn
By Eric Glick Pick up a newspaper, trade magazine or peruse the blogosphere and youre likely to find a wide range of articles on how organizations are coping with the recessionespecially from an employee morale perspective. Indeed, a number of resources, from the Harvard Business Review to about.com, offer tips and observations on cost-cutting measures that many organizations are takingfrom axing finances (and people) to adjusting benefits, to dismissing employees early to save on electricity costs.
Read MoreStaff appointments: October 16, 2009
Government Affairs The Mortgage Bankers Association announced staff changes in the groups government relations division. Tom Koonce, former assistant vice president for federal government affairs at the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, is MBAs new vice president of legislative affairs,
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